Louisiana
Shrimpers Receive Temporary TED Exemption In 2004
Posted:
10/13/04
The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS)
has granted shrimp trawlers a temporary 30-day exemption from
federal Turtle Excluder Device (TED) requirements in a portion
of Louisiana waters. Shrimp trawlers fishing in Louisiana
inside and outside territorial waters from the Mississippi–Louisiana
state line to a line west of Grand Isle at 90 degrees, 03
minutes and 00 seconds W are exempt from federal TED requirements,
provided they comply with seasonal tow-time restrictions established
by NMFS. The exemption does not apply to federal waters within
the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).
Maximum tow-time restrictions of 55 minutes,
measured from the time trawl doors enter the water until they
are retrieved from the water, will be in effect from Oct.
12 until 11:59 p.m. Oct. 31. Maximum tow-time lengths will
increase to 75 minutes from Nov. 1, through 11:59 p.m. Nov.
11. This exemption from federal TED requirements will expire
on Nov. 3, unless otherwise extended by NMFS. Federal regulations
provide for the use of limited tow times as an alternative
to the use of TEDs if determined "that the presence of
debris or other special environmental conditions in a particular
area makes trawling with TED-equipped nets impracticable."
This action follows NMFS consideration of
a request made by Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Secretary
Dwight Landreneau following Hurricane Ivan and its return
as Tropical Storm Ivan.
Louisiana shrimp fishermen and LDWF marine
fisheries biologists have reported the presence of large amounts
of storm related debris throughout the impacted area. This
debris primarily consists of matted grasses, rooted clumps
of marsh vegetation, Roseau cane, branches, sunken buoys and
metal roofing material. The debris has severely impacted both
shrimp catch and TED performance and has damaged fishing gear
as well.
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